Like Destiny’s Child, Fifth Harmony survives
It’s been a year of transition for Fifth Harmony: The pop stars parted ways with member Camila Cabello, switched management teams, negotiated a new contract with their label and won greater creative control of their brand. Luckily the newly minted quartet, who released their third album (“Fifth Harmony”) last week, had the fairy godmother of girl groups to guide them through the tumultuous times: Destiny’s Child alum Kelly Rowland.
“We were advised by the Kelly Rowland,” said Dinah Jane, 20. “She just told us to, like, let the music speak for itself, and just know your worth, believe in yourself and just be there for each other . ... For her to advise that, like, that says a lot because, you know, she’s gone through the same things.”
“And she said that she was really proud of us,” beamed Normani Kordei, 21.
Destiny’s Child went through similar changes before settling on the final and most famous formation, the trio of Rowland, Beyonce Knowles and Michelle Williams.
Fifth Harmony’s members said they looked to Destiny’s Child when deciding to fill the spot left by Cabello, who exited to pursue a solo career. “We kept referencing that while we were in the moments of that whole thing happening. Like people, teams or whatever, suggesting, ‘Oh maybe we get a fifth member?’ ” Lauren Jauregui, 21, recalled. “Like no, dude. If we’re going to do this, it’s the four of us. Period.”
At Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards, Fifth Harmony won best pop video for the video of the new single “Down.”